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KNICKS GLAD TO HAVE AMARE STOUDEMIRE BACK IN ACTION

Saturday, May 11, 2013

GREENBOUROGH NY – New York Knicks Power forward Amare Stoudemire is ready to come back and play in GAME 3 against the Indiana Pacers.Stoudemire has not played since March 7th has been playing in 4 on 4 drills in practice and he feels better than ever.Knicks center Tyson Chandler can’t wait to have Stoudemire back.

Amare Stoudemire (photo by Scott Mecum via wikipedia commons)

“He’s been so focused and working on things and really paying attention to the schemes,” Chandler said. “We’re playing against a good team, big lineups. It’s a great opportunity for him to be out there. He’ll give us a scoring presence on the block, so we could really use him right now.”

Stoudemire said he feels similar to when he returned on New Year’s Day after coming back from left knee debridement. He was able to play about two and a half months without missing a game. But there’s a little extra excitement this time around as he’ll be embarking on his eighth playoff run.

“It means everything to really be able to contribute and contend for a title,” he said. “I mean, obviously we have a lot more to go — we have a game to win in Indiana — but to be able to contribute, it would be awesome.”

Stoudemire said he believes he can be the same dominant player during the time he’s in the game.

“Despite injuries, I still have to work and definitely work toward becoming that great player again,” he said. “So as I continue to practice and get in better shape and improve, I should be able to play at a high level.”

He returned to the court Thursday to take full contact in scrimmaging for the second time this week. The first time was on Monday in three-on-three play against his teammates. Wednesday was a recovery day with only shooting and conditioning.

“I’ve been playing against these guys my whole career,” Stoudemire said. “They know me and I know them, so it’s going to be a battle regardless of who’s out there on the court. We’ve got to have our focus and our determination. It’s going to be a great chance to get out there, so hopefully I’m ready for Game 3